300 Years of Dunk’s
To mark 300 years of Dunk’s Charities in Hawkhurst the Trustees organised a village-wide campaign which ran in the week 20-23 June 2024.
Publicity Material Produced:
- A5 information leaflet about Dunk’s Almshouses Charity and Dunk’s Educational Foundation
- Postcard-size information card
- General poster for display on local noticeboards
- Poster advertising the anniversary celebrations
- Long outdoor banners highlighting the work of Dunk’s + the celebrations
- 10 second ad spot in the local cinema – two different versions running for a month each (May/June + July 2024)
Engaging the Village and Beyond:
- Extensive contact with over 80 local businesses and organisations – met with great response in the shape of displaying Dunk’s posters and leaflets on their premises, providing raffle prizes and giving their services/time free of charge.
- Dunk’s almshouses image featured on medals for the Hawkhurst 10k + 5k Race and on trophies for the 5k winners.
- Working with the three local schools – Hawkhurst Primary, St. Ronan’s School and Marlborough House School – to create artwork on the theme ‘300 Years of Dunk’s’. St Ronan’s website featured a video on how their pupils rose to this challenge by producing wonderful pieces.
- Local estate agent Peter Buswell supported the event by advertising Dunk’s 300 year exhibition on his boards throughout the village.
Anniversary Event on the Evening of 20 June 2024:
- Invitations went to 130 named guests for the special anniversary event on 20 June 2024, with information about Dunk’s Charity.
- Private individuals and representatives of Hawkhurst businesses and organisations gathered at the well-attended launch event on 20 June 2024 in the grounds of Dunk’s Almshouses and raised £1,000 in a charity auction for Dunk’s Educational Foundation. The six auction prizes were generously donated by: Ifield Golf Course, David Aspinall, Great Dixter, Lisa Panting, Plumpton Race Course.
- An exhibition running over four days in Dunk’s Almshouses hall (the former school room) featured detailed displays about the benefactor Sir Thomas Dunk, his will and bequest, the building of Dunk’s, alterations over the years, residents past and present. The exhibition also included a display of art created by the three local schools – Hawkhurst Primary, St Ronan’s and Marlborough House – on the theme of ‘300 Years of Dunk’s’.
The exhibition attracted many visitors, creating interest and spreading the word about Dunk’s Charity in and beyond Hawkhurst village. Over £2,000 was raised through raffle ticket sales for the amazing array of desirable prizes that local businesses and individuals had generously donated. All proceeds went to Dunk’s Educational Foundation which supports local young people with grants for education-related matters.
Subsequent to the 300 year campaign, Dunk’s Educational Foundation set up Dunk’s GoFundMe page where anyone can make a donation, anonymously if preferred.
The ‘300 Years of Dunk’s in Hawkhurst’ event was organised by the 2024 team of Trustees: Nigel Collison (Chairman), Sam Cornish, Jo Faulkner, Colin Faulkner, Claire Roberts, Gunda Cannon, Helena van Kan, Colin Hobday, Lisa Panting (Clerk to the Trustees).